Ad shows differences between Democratic Senate candidates

Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-MA, candidate for U.S. Senate, Monday released a new television ad aimed at shaking up voter fatigue, particularly among Independents.

The ad features a series of Lynch supporters, clearly from the working class, many wearing hard hats, declaring "I am Stephen Lynch," implying Lynch is no different than they are.

"This is a good ad because it doesn't look like every other political spot," said Prof. Tobe Berkovitz, a Boston University advertising and public relations expert.

"Political spots have this feel to them, and it turns people off. This one is interesting and sort of captivating and it has a nice pay off, 'I'm Stephen Lynch' after all these other people say they're Stephen Lynch. So it really could work for him."

"We're always trying to add people to the democratic party," said Lynch. "I think a lot of people left over the years and they call themselves independents now, but they're really democrats at heart and we want them to come home."

Lynch is targeting those independents who traditionally don't bother to vote in a primary, especially in a special election in April.

Asked if this ad implies his primary opponent and congressional colleague, Rep. Edward Markey, D-MA, has lost his working class roots, Lynch paused for a couple of seconds and said "I'm not taking attendance on Ed Markey. Look, you can be a very good representative and work out of Washington DC or Maryland. You can do that. That's just not my style."

The ad follows Sunday's St Patrick's Day breakfast on Lynch's home turf of South Boston where both Lynch and Markey, D-MA, exploited the working man theme.

"The democratic election will be historic no matter who wins," said Lynch. "Either I will be the first iron worker elected to the United State Senate or ... Ed Markey will be the first ice cream truck driver elected to the" as he was drowned out by laughter referring to Markey's job during his college years.

Markey responded with self deprecating humor.

"I'm prepared to show my long form birth certificate, proving I was born in Congress," said the senior New England Congressman. But Lynch didn't escape unscathed.

"He was born with his work boots on - in a manager that he welded together himself," said Markey, "That's southie."

Markey was not available for interviews Monday. His campaign said he was traveling. But his spokeswoman, Giselle Barry, released a statement Monday night.

"Ed was the first in his family to go to college and is running for Senate to ensure all people have the opportunity to maximize their god-given abilities and achieve the American Dream. In the Senate, Ed will fight for workers and middle-class families, which is why unions such as SEIU, AFSME and just today, the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts have endorsed him."

The primary is scheduled for April 30.

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